Court system fails family

By
DOUG DINGWALL

SHEARWATER man Troy Lucas's family still doesn't know what led to him dying in a road accident, even after a lengthy prosecution case against the woman who caused his death.

Court system fails family

AT A LOSS: Shearwater biker Troy Lucas's partner, Sandie Meech (left), father Dale Lucas and sister Callie Gregson tell of their sadness at not knowing details of the crash that killed him. Ms Meech says she feels like she let Mr Lucas down by missing the sentencing of the driver involved in the fatal crash. Picture: Grant Wells.

SHEARWATER man Troy Lucas's family still doesn't know what led to him dying in a road accident, even after a lengthy prosecution case against the woman who caused his death.

The family said it was not told prosecutors' case against the woman, Jacqueline Antoinette Roberts-Thomson, 51, would be finalised on March 3.

Magistrate Michael Brett disqualified Roberts-Thomson from driving for four months and fined her $897 at Devonport Magistrates Court.

She pleaded guilty to causing the death of another person by negligent driving.

Mr Lucas's mother Chris Reeve said her family missed the proceedings and were told they would take place on April 3.

Family members checked the date three times.

They wanted to be there for Mr Lucas, who died aged 41.

His partner Sandie Meech said she felt like she let Mr Lucas down by missing the court result.

``This man meant everything to us,'' she said.

``It was heart-wrenching.''

Mr Lucas died at Melbourne's Alfred Hospital in May 2012 from injuries sustained in the accident at East Devonport.

Ms Meech said she hoped by the court case's end she would know what led to her partner's death.

The family had not learnt the circumstances surrounding Mr Lucas's death before then.

``It's all part of the healing process,'' she said.

``It was the one opportunity we had [to see the court result]. You don't get another chance at it.''

The court system failed to keep the family abreast of the case throughout its duration, she said.

``The whole thing impacts greatly on us for the rest of our lives, so I can't see why we're not important.''

Ms Reeve said when she contacted a prosecutor after Roberts-Thomson was penalised, she was told to request in writing a transcript of proceedings from the magistrate, which could include facts relating to Mr Lucas' death.

She was warned the magistrate might not give this to her.

Ms Reeve said she was told a fee would apply for the transcript, and that it might take three months to deliver.

She first heard Roberts-Thomson was penalised 30 hours after the court appearance.

Ms Meech said she could have found out how her partner died while watching the court case get finalised, but believed she should have been briefed of details likely to be revealed in the case beforehand.

She would like to see the court system send case workers to liaise with families of crime victims during prosecutions, letting them know when cases were likely to be heard and explaining what stage they were at.

The family's experience with doctors arranging an organ transplant was more positive.

An organ donation coordinator stayed in contact with family members after Mr Lucas, a registered organ donor, died and his organs were transplanted, Ms Reeve said.

The Organ and Tissue Authority kept the family informed of the steps involved in organ donation throughout the process, she said.

Mr Lucas's family would like to speak to any witnesses of the road accident to learn what happened.

``For someone who heard his last words, we'd like to hear from them what they were,'' Ms Reeve said.

A Justice Department spokesperson said Mr Lucas's family was not notified of Roberts-Thomson's sentencing in a ``timely manner'' because of an ``administrative error''.

``Victims Support Services has apologised to the family involved that on this rare occasion a small oversight has caused them further grief,'' he said.

Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin said she asked her department for an explanation as to what occurred and advice as to what steps would be taken to ensure it didn't happen again.